FAOSTAT · 1961–2024
Sheep meat production in New Zealand
In 2024 New Zealand produced 449,606 t of sheep meat, the 5th largest in the world (3.90% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 7.7%. The record was 728,300 t in 1985.
- Production, 2024
- 449,606 t
- World rank
- 5 of 175
- 10-year change
- −7.7%
- Record
- 728,300 t
- 1985
Sheep meat in New Zealand, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 449,606 | +4.6% |
| 2023 | 429,940 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 426,443 | −3.5% |
| 2021 | 441,947 | −3.8% |
| 2020 | 459,544 | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 448,862 | −4.2% |
| 2018 | 468,481 | +3.9% |
| 2017 | 450,868 | −6.2% |
| 2016 | 480,607 | −1.3% |
| 2015 | 487,149 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 487,142 | +1.4% |
| 2013 | 480,619 | +5.3% |
| 2012 | 456,339 | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 452,041 | −4.7% |
| 2010 | 474,141 | −7.3% |
| 2009 | 511,431 | −14% |
| 2008 | 597,458 | +3.2% |
| 2007 | 578,701 | +6.6% |
| 2006 | 542,759 | +1.9% |
| 2005 | 532,846 | +3.0% |
| 2004 | 517,103 | −5.6% |
| 2003 | 547,491 | +5.6% |
| 2002 | 518,323 | −9.2% |
| 2001 | 570,841 | +6.1% |
| 2000 | 538,270 | +8.1% |
| 1999 | 497,708 | −9.2% |
| 1998 | 547,991 | +1.7% |
| 1997 | 538,838 | +6.1% |
| 1996 | 507,952 | −3.8% |
| 1995 | 528,256 | +0.8% |
| 1994 | 523,849 | +9.2% |
| 1993 | 479,749 | −17% |
| 1992 | 578,453 | +13% |
| 1991 | 513,896 | −3.0% |
| 1990 | 530,000 | −13% |
| 1989 | 610,000 | −0.8% |
| 1988 | 615,062 | +0.7% |
| 1987 | 610,683 | −1.1% |
| 1986 | 617,200 | −15% |
| 1985 | 728,300 | +9.1% |
| 1984 | 667,600 | −1.9% |
| 1983 | 680,300 | +9.3% |
| 1982 | 622,600 | −0.6% |
| 1981 | 626,200 | +12% |
| 1980 | 559,700 | +8.9% |
| 1979 | 513,900 | +2.5% |
| 1978 | 501,600 | +0.8% |
| 1977 | 497,700 | −2.9% |
| 1976 | 512,800 | +4.5% |
| 1975 | 490,900 | −1.3% |
| 1974 | 497,500 | −11% |
| 1973 | 556,100 | −3.2% |
| 1972 | 574,700 | +1.9% |
| 1971 | 563,800 | +1.8% |
| 1970 | 553,700 | −0.0% |
| 1969 | 553,800 | −0.6% |
| 1968 | 557,400 | +8.8% |
| 1967 | 512,400 | +8.3% |
| 1966 | 473,000 | −0.6% |
| 1965 | 475,700 | −2.7% |
| 1964 | 488,800 | +5.5% |
| 1963 | 463,200 | −2.0% |
| 1962 | 472,800 | +3.5% |
| 1961 | 457,000 | — |
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.